Home Security Resources

National Safety Council: Ten Ways to Keep Your Home Burglary-Free
Tips for home safety and security include: Pretend you're a burglar who's scoping out your neighborhood. Look for any feature of your property that offers opportunities to an intruder. For example, a ladder left outdoors offers potential access to second-floor windows. Leaving your garage door open while you do yard work can also tempt criminals; design your yard with security in mind. Arrange sight lines so neighbors can see into your yard. A solid fence promotes privacy but makes it easier for criminals to work undetected. Consider a chain link fence instead; add outdoor lighting to all potential entry points of your house. Regular incandescent lights mounted on a wall or pole work well for many homeowners. Or install high-pressure sodium lights or mercury vapor lights. Both are energy efficient and illuminate a larger area than incandescent bulbs. Other options include photoelectric lights that provide automatic lighting after dark, and motion detector lights that click on when their sensors detect nearby activity. Install deadbolt locks and solid doors for added home security.

50 Ways to Enhance Home Safety and Security
These home safety and security tips include: do not hide keys outside, lock all entrances, install double cylinder dead bolt locks if doors have glass panels nearby, consider auxiliary locks, destroy all envelopes that reflect your name and personal information, maintain friendly relations with neighbors, arrange for an unlisted telephone number, be alert to your surroundings, keep shrubs and trees near the house trimmed low, below window level, keep doors locked, vary your transportation routes, keep a cell phone on you, secure any weapons in the house, keep a cell phone in the bedroom, participate in a neighborhood watch, park in well lit areas, install a home alarm, keep portable fire extinguishers handy, conduct fire drills, travel with a companion, remain vigilant, and check for suspicious persons in your area.